Not quite, but with the shrinking handful of genuine performance sedans available today, Subaru's WRX seems to be standing taller and taller these days.
And in it's new jogging suit…aka the WRX's new 5th generation body style…this machine now more than ever before kinda' blurs the line between "boy racer" and "gentleman's GT".
Think about it. We've all probably been passed by one of those 10-15 year-old early-generation WRX mini-wagons…driven, let's say briskly at the rev limit, by a 20 / 30-something gear-head…right? And that, alone, is quite a story for a performance vehicle, as 96% of all WRX's sold in the last ten years are still on the road. But I digress.
Erase those old memories and look at the lines of Subie's new for '22 WRX. Sure…it still has muscular curves and bulges, but not too many to draw the unwanted attention from the law enforcers.
And the sound? Just right. Back off the accelerator as you pass those black and whiles and they won't hear the music singing from those big quad pipes in the rear.
So back to that blurry line between boy racer and gent's GT…the new '22 Subie WRX pretty much covers both bases quite nicely.
Conservative 4-door styling wrapped over a new sport suspension that has a 271 HP 2.4 liter turbo four propelling it down the road.
Now in today's world of excess, 271 HP may not seem like overkill…but just depress that long skinny pedal on the right in 2nd or 3rd gear and watch yourself start to smile. 60 MPH should come up in just a tick over 5 seconds with the standard 6-speed manual.
If you prefer an automatic, just hit the options box. But the 6-speed stick is a delight for those few who still know how to work a clutch. Smooth…and even better with the standard "hill-holder" that prevents you from rolling backwards when engaging first on an uphill start.
And speaking of "delights", the steering on the WRX is absolutely waterbug fast. Coupled with the Premium version's 18" summer performance tire and Subaru's standard all-wheel-drive, it's enough to make the average driver feel as if he / she just might have what it takes to go "pro".
And here just might be the best part. As you might have watched the price of that other performance sedan that you had your eye on climb into the $40's, Subaru's '22 WRX starts right around 30 thousand. That's all. Just 30K.
Our premium edition ran $2,500 more, but included 18" alloys instead of the standard 17's…and also delivered heated front seats, heated side mirrors, an 11.6" screen, spoiler, and Subaru's "Eye Sight" safety package.
So…what do you get with the WRX? Comfort, performance, and understated but serious styling. 4-doors offering easy entry / exit + useable room for more in the back + 12.5 cu ft in the trunk + 60/40 pass-thru rear seats. Oh….and 19 city / 26 highway MPGs. But caught in a 60-70 MPG clogged freeway commute we got as high as 31 MPG.
And one more word re: "serious". Subaru's WRX has won 14 of the last 15 US National Rally titles. If you're looking for a genuine performance machine, there's nothing pretend about the WRX's performance credentials. The WRX is the real deal.
2022 Subaru WRX Premium
Bob Jackson2022 Subaru WRX Premium
2022 Subaru WRX Premium
2022 Subaru WRX Premium
2022 Subaru WRX Premium
Bob Jackson2022 Subaru WRX Premium
2022 Subaru WRX Premium
Bob Jackson2022 Subaru WRX Premium
2022 Subaru WRX Premium
Bob Jackson2022 Subaru WRX Premium
